Apple tree named ‘Gemini’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica Mill.  apple tree variety named ‘Gemini’ particularly characterized by medium vigorous tree with spreading habit. Highly productive with precocious fruit bearing. Resistant to scab, very low susceptibility to powdery mildew. The fruit is very attractive, big, larger than ‘Gala’ with a regular conical shape. The ground color is green with a uniform brilliant ruby red blush, the area of over color is very large. Not subject to cracking. The flesh is creamy, crispy, fresh and juicy with a slight acidity taste. The storage life is comparable to ‘Gala’.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malus domestica Mill.

Variety denomination: ‘Gemini’.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of European Community Plant Variety Office Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 2011/1878, filed Jul. 26, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree, botanically known as Malus domestica Mill. of the Family Rosaceae, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Gemini’.

The new Malus variety is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Michelangelo Leis, Alessio Martinelli, Gianfranco Castagnoli and Francesco Tagliani in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Malus varieties with improved production characteristics, high-quality flavour and aroma, and sustainability by increasing the tree's natural resistance. The primary objective of the research programme is to selection new apple varieties with natural resistances, in particular to scab.

The new Malus variety, ‘Gemini’, originated from a cross made in a planned, controlled breeding program in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The female parent is the ‘Gala’ variety. The male parent is an unpatented selection denominated ‘A3-7’. ‘Gemini’ was discovered and selected in September 2004 by the inventors as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

Asexual reproduction of the new Malus variety by budding and grafting was first performed in September 2004 and in the following years in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new Malus variety are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new variety reproduces true to type.

In comparison to its parents, ‘Gemini’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with parent varieties Characteristic in State of The which the variety expression of female parent The male parent is different candidate variety (Gala) (A3-7) Resistance to scab Yes No Yes Fruit: relative area Very large Medium Medium to large of over color Fruit: over color Ruby red Red Medium red Fruit: pattern of Only solid flush Solid flush with Only solid flush over color defined stripes Fruit: size Large Medium Medium to large Time of eating Medium to late Medium Medium to late maturity

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Gemini’ which in combination distinguish this apple tree as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Intense ruby red color;     -   2. Scab resistance;     -   3. Medium vigor, open habit with short branches;     -   4. High sugar content and     -   5. Good storage ability.

In comparison to the similar variety ‘Galaxy’, ‘Gemini’ differs primarily in the traits listed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety: Denomination Characteristic in State of State of of similar which the similar expression of expression of variety variety is different similar variety candidate variety ‘Galaxy’ Relative area of over Medium Very large color Pattern of over color Solid flush with Only solid flush defined stripes Resistance to disease No Scab resistant

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventors, the most similar in comparison to ‘Gemini’ is the variety ‘Galaxy’ as compared in Table 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new apple tree ‘Gemini’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Gemini’.

FIG. 1: illustrates the tree of ‘Gemini’;

FIG. 2: illustrates the leaves of ‘Gemini’;

FIG. 3: illustrates the flowers of ‘Gemini’ and

FIG. 4: illustrates the fruits of ‘Gemini’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Malus variety ‘Gemini’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the tree.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Malus variety ‘Gemini’ as grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The apple farm where ‘Gemini’ is grown is situated near the Adriatic sea (44°45′ North, 12°11′ East) and is zero (0) meters above sea level. The soil of the apple farm where ‘Gemini’ is grown is sandy, and the soil is treated with manure every year and irrigated with drip irrigation systems. The climate is temperate continental with high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed botanical description includes observations, measurements and values based on four (4) year old ‘Gemini’ trees that were grown in the apple farm in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, from 2007 to 2010 All trees were of cropping maturity. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual trees of ‘Gemini’. The measurements of any individual tree, or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 10:00 am in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy.

All trees of ‘Gemini’, insofar as they have been observed, have been identical in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Malus domestica Mill. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘Gala’.         -   Male parent.—Malus domestica Mill. ‘A3-7’ (unpatented             selection). -   Propagation: Budding and grafting on M9 rootstock. -   Tree:     -   -   Age.—Observed plants were four years old.         -   Vigor.—Medium vigor.         -   Tree type.—Ramified.         -   Habit.—Spreading, branches angle is typically 45 to 75             degrees from the vertical. stem.         -   Density.—Medium density.         -   Cropping behavior.—Precocious fruit bearing with high             productivity.         -   Type of bearing.—Typically long shoot, presence of spur on             2-3 year old branches.         -   Production.—4^(th) year: 16 Kg.         -   Size.—Height: 2.8 m. Spread: 1.30 m. Trunk Diameter: about             35 mm as measured 20 cm above point of grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Bark color.—Brown, RHS 166 A.         -   Trunk lenticels.—         -   Overall shape.—Round to elongated. Length: 1.6 mm. Width:             1.5 mm. Color: Yellow-brown RHS 164 C. Density: 3 to 4 per             cm².         -   Branches.—Number per tree: about 20 at four (4) years.             Length: Varies due to pyramidal shape of tree. At four (4)             years, maximum of 90 cm to 110 cm; minimum of 30 cm to             50 cm. Diameter (at 3 years): About 10 mm to 14 mm. Surface             texture: smooth. Color (at 3 years): grey, RHS 201 A.             Internode length: About 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm. Internode             diameter: About 9 mm to 12 mm in the middle of branches.         -   Branches lenticels.—Length: 0.9 mm. Width: 1.2 mm. Color:             Yellow-brown, RHS 164 B. Density: About 3 to 4 per cm². -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple, petiolated.         -   Lamina.—Size: Length (4 year old): 98.4 mm (from 3^(rd) to             5^(th) fully expanded leaf). Width (4 year old): 47.3 mm             (from 3^(rd) to 5^(th) fully expanded leaf).         -   Length/width ratio.—2.08. Overall Shape:             elliptical-elongated. Base shape: rounded. Apex shape:             acuminate. Margin: serrate. Pubescence: absent on upper             surface and weak pubescent on lower surface. Attitude in             relation to shoot: outwards. Color (mature leaves): green,             RHS 137 A on the upper side and 147 B underside.         -   Venation.—Type: prominent pinnate venation from a midrib to             the edge. Color: green, RHS 148 C.         -   Petiole.—Length: about 28 mm. Diameter: about 1.8 mm.             Texture: hairy. Color: yellow-green, RHS 146 C with             anthocyanin coloration located in a small area on the base,             RHS 58A red-purple.         -   Stipule.—Arrangement: adnate, grown together; medium size.         -   Distance of stipules from basal attachment of             petiole.—Average 3 mm. Length: 5 mm to 9 mm. Width: 0.6 mm             to 1.9 mm. -   Spur:     -   -   Present.—On 2-3 year old shoots.         -   Distance between each spur.—On the two-three year old             branches, the distance is about 20 mm to 50 mm.         -   Number of fruit per spur.—2 to 4 without thinning. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming time.—Full bloom on April 9^(th) in S. Giuseppe di             Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy in year 2011.         -   Blooming period.—8 to 12 days.         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Type.—Inflorescence.         -   Number of flowers per inflorescence.—5 to 6.         -   Flower size.—Diameter: about 44 mm. Flower depth (height of             the corolla): about 14-15 mm, measured when the flowers are             fully open. Flower color: Primarily white, RHS 155 D, when             petals fully opened, undersides of petals there are shades             red-purple color, RHS 67 A, In the balloon stage the color             is RHS 55A, red.         -   Buds.—Number of buds per spur: typically, one or two on each             spur. Shape: pointed. Length: about 7.5 mm. Width: about             4.5 mm. Color: brown, RHS 187 A with hairy surface.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: intermediate. Number per flower:             typically five (5). Length: average 20.96 mm. Width: average             14 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.5. Overall shape: elliptic.             Apex shape: obtuse. Base shape: rounded. Texture: smooth.             Margin: entire. Color (upper surface): white, RHS 155 D.             Color (lower surface): white, RHS 155 D with shade             red-purple RHS 67 A.         -   Sepals.—Number per flower: five (5). Length: average             5.76 mm. Width: average 3.56 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.62.             Overall shape: lanceolate. Apex shape: acute. Texture:             hairy. Margin: entire. Color (upper surface): green RHS             138 C. Color (lower surface): green RHS 138 B.         -   Pedicel.—Length: average 25.8 mm. Diameter: 2 to 3 mm.             Texture: hairy. Color: green, RHS 138 B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Keeping quality.—The fruit keeps well on the tree. The             storage life is comparable to ‘Gala’. It has a good shelf             life.         -   Maturity when described.—Ripe for eating.         -   Maturity period after full bloom.—About 131 days in S.             Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy.         -   Date of first and last pickings.—About 15 August and 22             August in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy (North             44°45′46.2″, East 012°11′31.9″) in year 2011.         -   General shape.—Conic.         -   Average weight.—216.73 g.         -   Fruit size.—Average height: 71.44 mm. Average diameter (at             widest point): 81.55 mm.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Between ¾ of the height near             stem end.         -   Height/diameter ratio.—0.88.         -   Stem.—Length: about 23.47 mm. Diameter: 2.62 mm. Color:             yellow-green group, RHS 146 C.         -   Stalk cavity.—Depth: average 20.24 mm. Width: average 40.63             mm.         -   Eye basin.—         -   Aperture of eye.—Fully open. Depth: average 8.46 mm. Width:             average 29.12 mm. Crowning at calyx end: absent or weak.             Position of sepals: erect and converging. Calyx tube: funnel             form.         -   Skin.—Thickness: medium. Texture: smooth. Bloom: absent or             very low. Greasiness: absent. Firmness (at picking time): 9             to 10 kg/cm². Overcolor color: red, RHS 46 A. Percentage of             skin surface with overcolor color: very large. Pattern of             overcolor: only solid flush. Intensity of overcolor: dark.             Ground color: yellow-green, RHS 154 B.         -   Skin lenticels.—Shape: round. Length: about 1.0 mm. Width:             about 1.0 mm. Color: yellow-white, RHS 158 B. Density: about             3 per cm² in the central area of the surface of fruit. The             number of lenticels increases in a direction toward the             hollow of the calyx and the size of the lenticels decreases.         -   Flesh.—Color: yellow-white group , RHS 158 B. Texture: firm,             crisp and juicy. Aroma: medium. Eating quality: good with             slight acidity taste. Sugar content (at picking time): 12 to             13° Brix. Acidity/Starch (at picking time): 4.5 to 6.5 g/l             of Malic acid measured when the starch degradation is 2.5             using the Laimburg scale 1 to 5.         -   Core.—Symmetry of core: slightly asymmetric. Distinctness of             core lines: no more evident.         -   Locules.—Number (per fruit): 5 (five). Length: 14.79 mm.             Width: 6.72 mm. Form: fully open. -   Seeds:     -   -   Number per fruit.—6 to 14.         -   Number per locule.—About 2 to 3.         -   Shape.—Ellipsoid, elongated and pointed.         -   Length.—Average 8.18 mm.         -   Width.—Average 4.73 mm.         -   Color.—Brown, RHS 200 D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number per flower: about 20 (Twenty).             Length: average 7.73 mm. Filament: Length: about 5.9 mm.             Color: green-white, RHS 157 B. Anther: Shape: ovoid, flat in             the center. Length: 2.35 mm. Diameter: 1.73 mm. Color:             yellow, RHS 10 C. Pollen: Amount: abundant. Color: yellow,             RHS 13 C. Requirements: the crab apple Malus ‘Evereste’ is a             good pollinator.         -   Gynoecium.—Stigma: Shape: funnel shape with receptive             surface on top. Length: 1.0 mm. Width: 0.5 mm. Color:             yellow, RHS 145 A. Style: Number per flower: 5 (Five).             Length: about 10 mm. Width: about 0.3 mm. Color:             yellow-green, RHS 138 B. Ovary: Length: about 4.0 mm. Width:             about 3.0 mm. Color: yellow-green, RHS 138 B. -   Use: Fresh market. -   Sensitivity to disease/pests: Scab resistance. -   Winter hardiness: Tolerance to temperatures of −12° C. without     observed damage to wood and buds of dormant apple trees; but open     flowers and young fruitlets are killed by exposure to −3° C. to −5°     C., depending on the length of exposure. -   Drought/heat tolerance: Good tolerance to heat, up to 40° C., growth     is limited by drought periods without irrigation. -   Shipping/storage characteristics: Good storability under     ULO-conditions (1° C., 2% 0₂, 2% CO₂) for up to six (6) months. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Malus domestica Mill. apple tree named ‘Gemini’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 